Andrew MacDonald Rejects New York Islanders Offer
Well, the New York Islanders aren’t having much luck with signing their soon-to-be unrestricted free agents. First, Thomas Vanek rejects a long-term deal and now it turns out defenseman Andrew MacDonald had done the same weeks ago.
Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post, wrote that MacDonald had turned down a four-year deal worth a total of $16 million. It is pretty much a sure thing that MacDonald will be dealt, just as Vanek will be.
Chris Botta tweeted out what an NHL executive told him this morning what MacDonalds value should be.
An NHL GM told me this am that he views Andrew MacDonald's trade value as a late 2nd round pick plus a 5th rounder. #isles
— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) February 7, 2014
He then goes on to tweet that it was the right decision not to trade MacDonald before today’s Olympic Roster Freeze.
Isles were right not to rush an Andrew MacDonald trade. They'll have 6-8 teams pushing hard for him days before deadline.
— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) February 7, 2014
MacDonald’s value will only go up after the NHL gets back to business as many teams will be looking for a defenseman like him. A two-way defenseman who eat up big minutes. If the Islanders wait to until the last minute, they could get more than they first thought.
MacDonald does not have the same name recognition that Vanek does, but that does not mean that he is not going to be a name to watch as it gets closer to deadline day. With the Islanders not performing the way they had hoped after making the playoffs last year, it’s time to retool. Moving MacDonald will help accomplish that feat.
With only a week between the NHL’s return and the NHL Trade Deadline, the Islanders are going to be one of the biggest names to watch in both selling and buying.